Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

In a strategic move aimed at furthering its mission to empower African traders with the necessary payment solutions for thriving in the digital era, Squad, a fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), offering comprehensive payment and e-commerce solutions for businesses, has entered a partnership with OmniPay, a subsidiary of OmniRetail Inc. This collaboration has currently benefited more than 65,000 stakeholders, which include retailers, distributors, and manufacturers through improved payment and collection methods using Squad’s Virtual Bank Account without incurring any charges. Additionally, they have gained more accessible and affordable working capital to procure goods on credit for…

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of 31 internet fraudsters by Justices Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Enugu and Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, sitting in Awka, Anambra State. The convicts are: Pascal Chinedu, Chiemerie Edeh, Okeke Chiagozie Harrison, Chidera Victor Mmadu, Chizoba Onyedika Felix, Ekperechi David, Sunday John Cross, Enenta Ebube Michael, Nwankwo Tochukwu Firminus, Chukwuebuka Sebastine Ozoemena, Vincent Eduvie, Chisom Mbagu Augustine, Ifeanyi Samuel, Abunoko Kelly, Ikechukwu Joshua, Agada Daniel Olema, Eguiri Franklyn and Akpoze Julius. Others are, Evans…

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 convicted and sentenced seven internet fraudsters to various jail terms.The convicts are Ayokunle Victor, Enoferodion Kingsley Osadebamwen, Endurance Igbineweka, Ale Emmanuel Mayowa, Ojo Wonder Toluwani, Okolie Kelechi Kingsley and Olaleye Joshua Ayomide. They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by false pretences when they were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.The charge against Osadebamwen reads: “that you Kingsley Enoferodion Osadebamwen (m) on or about 10th day of February, 2024…

The Lagos State Government and a Ghana Waste Management company JONSPONG on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to treat solid and liquid in the state. The MoU which was signed by the Commissioner Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab and Executive Chairman JOSPONG Group, Dr Joseph Agyepong will amongst other things establish a Material Recovery Facility to reduce downstream pressure (waste disposal volume) at landfills. The MOU will also involve putting in place Compact /Mobile Transfer loading stations to replace current stationary plants and reduce waste at pressure points such as markets. Speaking at the event, Mr. Tokunbo…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A premature baby, said to be six months old, was discovered dead in front of a female hostel at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt. It was gathered that the male child, who was covered with a cloth, was dropped by an unknown person on the morning of Saturday, 24, February, 2024. According to some students who spoke on condition of anonymity about the incident, the baby, who is between six and seven months old, was dumped at the Rumulumeni campus of the university in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. “I…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the full implementation of the Oronsaye report.⁣⁣Consequently, the President announced the merging, subsuming, scraping and relocation of several agencies of government. ⁣⁣The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this disclosure to State House Correspondents after Monday, 26 February, 2024 Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. ⁣⁣“So in a very bold move today, this administration, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, consistent again with his courage to take very far-reaching decisions in the interest of Nigeria, has taken a decision to implement the so-called Oronsaye Report.⁣⁣“Now, what that means…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a woman named Onyiye over alleged attempt to sell her five-year-old son in a Port Harcourt market, just as it also disclosed that it has commenced investigation on the matter. It was gathered that Onyiye took the boy to a popular market in Bishop Okoye Street in the Mile 3 axis of Port Harcourt on Saturday, 25 February, 2024. Drama, however ensued, when some traders confronted the woman and realised her true intentions which she attributed to hardship. The traders who doubted if the child was hers however took the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike In a bid to alleviate the hardship being experienced by people of the Ondo State in the face of the current global economic downturn, the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday, 26 February, 2024 unveiled N12 billion Economic Relief Programme. Oyebanji, who assured Ekiti people of commitment to their welfare and wellbeing, urged them to cooperate with the government at the local, state, and federal levels. This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, to newsmen on Monday, 26 February, 2024. “Concerted efforts are being made not only to…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, 26 February, 2024 closed its case against Olugbenga Obadina and his company, Almond Projects Limited before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja. Obadina and Almond Projects Limited are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, official corruption and money laundering to the tune of N2.17 billion, being payment received from the Office of the National Security Adviser on November 28, 2015 without any contractual agreement or approval. Count three of the charge reads: “That you Olugbenga Obadina and Almond Projects Ltd on the 3rd of April, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike As part of plans to help cushion the effects of the prevailing harsh economy, Ogun State Government on Monday, 26 February, 2026, kick-started the process of offering free surgery to pregnant women, market women, poor residents in the state. The Executive Secretary of Ogun State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Afolabi Dosunmu, at the flag-off of the registration for the intervention held at the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, said the intervention was a directive given by Governor Dapo Abiodun to provide succour to the people at this difficult time. Dosunmu said hospitals in the state were ready to…

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has officially launched the Light Up Nigeria, South East Initiative in Enugu, describing it as the much-expected solution to the power supply deficit that has undermined the nation’s economy and industrialisation. He said the Light Up Nigeria Project, which is part of the priorities set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revamp the nation’s economy and ensure rapid industrialization, heralds renewed hope for industrialists, investors and Nigerians who had to bear the brunt of the country’s power challenges for so long. Senator Shettima during the project launch on Monday in Enugu also commissioned the 181MW…

The Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps (NAOC) has initiated a collaborative relationship with the Yaba College of Technology towards accomplishing its set goals in the areas of polymer, textile and printing. This was accomplished at a courtesy visit to the management and tour of facilities of the college by the Corps led by its Commander, Major General Jonathan Ugwuoke in company of his formidable team from the rank of brigadier generals downwards, held at the Council Chamber. Speaking during the visit, Major General Jonathan Ugwuoke said that NAOC is saddled with the responsibility of providing technical support to the defense forces…

Newly inaugurated state coordinators of the Omoluabi Progressives, a caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have been advised to uphold Omoluabi ethos in the discharge of their duties. The advice was given by the former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who is the grand-patron of the group in Ilesa on Sunday, 25 February, 2024. “I want you all to imbibe the ethos of Omoluabi in the new position you have been elected into. I recall there was a time I served at the lowest level in my ward in Lagos, cleaning chairs for political meetings…

Lagos Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing a friendly environment for investors, particularly multinationals from the United States and Africa, to invest in the State. He said Lagos is open and ready for investments and therefore urged foreign and local investors to see the State as an investment attractive destination, noting that his administration is willing to do what is expected of the government to create a conducive environment for business to thrive. Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke during a courtesy visit by the Corporate Council on Africa led by its President/CEO, Ms. Florie Liser at the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed plans to investigate more than 3,000 financial crime cases. The Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede made this disclosure, explaining that the 3,000 cases approved for investigation were part of the over 5,000 petitions received by the agency from different groups and Nigerians. Olukoyede made the revelation at the 20th Anniversary lecture of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resources Centre, held in Lagos on Saturday, 24 February, 2024. The EFCC boss, who was the guest lecturer at the event, said the agency has recovered over N60 billion and…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The private residence of the Minister of State in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, was gutted by fire on the afternoon of Sunday, 25 February, 2024. The property, located on No. 9, Justice Roseline Ukeji Close, in the upscale Asokoro area of Abuja, was reportedly razed completely by the inferno. Despite efforts to respond to the emergency, including the arrival of fire service personnel, nothing could be salvaged from the property. The Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Mr. Austin Elemue, confirmed the incident, explaining that the cause of the fire was…

By Doris Uzoka-Anite As the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) approaches, Nigeria stands poised and actively ready to contribute to global dialogue and negotiations. With a commitment to fostering international trade, cooperation, and inclusivity, under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Administration, Nigeria looks forward to playing a key role in shaping positive outcomes for MC13. The upcoming MC13 scheduled to hold from 26-29 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), will convene trade ministers and delegations from around the world, to update the WTO’s agreements on trade policy, review the functions of the multilateral…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Towering Liverpool Captain, Virgil van Dijk’s header late in the extra time gave an under-strength team a remarkable Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley on the evening of Sunday, 25 February, 2024. Before his last minute header that gave his team victory, Dijk had seen a header controversially ruled out for offside on the hour but there was no reprieve for Chelsea when he headed into the empty net in the 118th minute from a corner cross from Kostas Tsimikas Liverpool’s 10th triumph in the competition was achieved without the availability of star names such…

In a bid to empower outgoing students not to become job seeker but employers of labour, Miss Alade Olumegbon, on behalf of the Olumegbon family, donated three industrial machines to the graduating students of Fashion Design Department, School of Art Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology. The donation was made as the star prizes to be awarded to the participants at the Graduate Fashion Show organized for the Higher National Diploma (HND2) students in Fashion and Design Department, that are graduating, to showcase their creativity through their works. The first position will go home with a steam iron, industrial…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Sunday, 25 February, 2024 distributed 447 resettlement housing, food items and other basic necessities to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Dalori community in Konduga Local Government Council of the state. The Borno State Government constructed the houses to resettle families dislodged by the Boko Haram insurgency. The newly resettled community have been provided with a hospital, school and water facilities. According to a statement on Sunday, the resettled IDPs were drawn from two locations: 197 households from Kawar Maila camp and 250 families from Dalori town. The statement said each of the 447…